SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part I: SolidWorks Basics

When you apply an appearance at the level of the part (the name of the part shows in the Color

and Optics PropertyManager), any other entity color will override it. You can assign Solid or

Surface bodies an appearance that overrides the part appearance. Some color changes are automatic;

for example, when you are editing parts in the context of an assembly, they can temporarily change

color or become transparent, which overrides everything else.

Other entity colors

You can color other entities in addition to the 3D shaded model. Curve entities (such as a helix or
projected curve) can be colored in addition to sketches with the Edit Sketch or Curve Color tool.
You can only view sketch colors when the sketch is closed and shown, because when the sketch is
open, the entity colors have special significance indicating the sketch status.

Note
The Edit Sketch or Curve Color works for sketches and limited curve features. It works for all curve features
except for projected curves. In addition, pre-selection does not work with this tool. The Edit Sketch or Curve
Color tool is grouped with the commands in the View toolbar in the Tools ➪ Customize ➪ Commands menu
area. n

The Display pane

The Display pane flies out from the right side of the FeatureManager and displays a quick list

of which entities have appearances, transparency, or other visual properties assigned. It also

shows hidden parts or bodies for assemblies and multibody parts. The Display pane is shown in

Figure 5.18. I revisit the Display pane in Chapter 12 to show you how it is used in assemblies.

FIGURE 5.18

The Display pane in action